Have your say on Three Waters Reforms

The Government is proposing moving the management of drinking water, waste water and storm water (Three Waters) services away from city and district councils to one of four entities across New Zealand.

It believes the change will enable water quality standards to be met consistently across the three waters systems at a lower cost than can be achieved by individual councils.

The Government’s proposal would see the entity managing three waters in Hawke’s Bay looking after water services for 21 council areas, from the top of the East Coast to the top of the South Island. Council’s water structure assets would be transferred to the entity and it would manage them. It would be led by a body made up of representatives of the 21 councils and mana whenua.

Councils have been given until the end of September to consider the proposal, request further information and provide Government with feedback.

To ensure the community voice is included in that feedback, Hastings District Council has prepared information for residents and a survey (hastingsdc.govt.nz/watersreform).

The web page includes general information, FAQs, the survey link, links to the Government’s case for change (via the Department of Internal Affairs) and a Three Waters Reform Update (prepared by the five Hawke’s Bay councils).

This would be a substantial change affecting today’s residents and future generations, and Council is encouraging residents to read the information and fill in the survey.

8 September 2021

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